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Accountability board hears ACC caseload, sheriff's-office body-cam rollout and calls for greater transparency
Summary
The ACC reported 78 cases reviewed JuneSeptember; deputy sheriffs began wearing body-worn cameras July 1 and the sheriff—s office reported a ~35% vacancy rate. Board members pressed staff to include precinct and officer-experience data in future reports and discussed publishing redacted ACC opinions online.
Dawn, reporting for the Administrative Charging Committee (ACC), told the Police Accountability Board the panel met multiple times JuneSeptember and "reviewed 78 cases and rendered 78 opinions," including 11 use-of-force cases and a range of allegations from body-worn-camera violations to improper detention and evidence mishandling. Dawn provided a case-by-case breakdown of charges and outcomes.
Board members pressed ACC staff about how investigations are reviewed and reported. Dawn explained that the ACC reviews material uploaded to evidence.com (reports, body-worn footage, stills and investigative documents) and that members review cases in advance of meetings. She said the committee compiles a written opinion summarizing the evidence and the panel—s finding; the report describes whether an officer is administratively charged, sustained, exonerated or unfounded. "We all review it prior to the meeting," Dawn said.
Members asked for more transparency in reporting. A board member proposed publishing redacted ACC opinions on the PAB website and including precinct-level location data and officer experience in future summaries. Dawn and staff agreed to explore ways to provide precinct and experience ranges and to take the request to the ACC meeting scheduled Oct. 3 for further review.
Deputy Chief Black reported a separate but related set of operational updates: he said his professional-standards unit had identified "the potential for our first case going to the administrative charging committee," that it was citizen-initiated and that staff would determine whether it rose to a formal complaint with an anticipated ACC referral by week—s end if appropriate. He also reported implementing body-worn cameras for deputy sheriffs under a state law effective July 1 and said deputy footage is being stored on evidence.com using the same platform as the police department.
Deputy Chief Black also gave staffing and training details: because his office is smaller, he said the vacancy rate is roughly 35% and that the agency competes with nearby employers, which has spurred the use of hiring bonuses and aggressive recruitment at community events. He said deputies attend the Baltimore County Police Academy and in-service training required by the Maryland Police Training Commission.
Other items: Lauren reported one upcoming trial board on Sept. 25 for an officer charged with misrepresenting facts, and the board discussed annual-report planning and timelines for November and December.
Next steps: staff agreed to explore precinct and officer-experience reporting formats, the ACC will discuss publication of redacted opinions and the professional-standards unit will follow up on the newly identified complaint.
